Margery Byrne

Stephen Byrne

Margery is Stephen's wife, but their marriage is strained by Stephen's infidelity and her growing suspicion and resentment.

John Egerton

John is a close friend and confidant to Margery, but his motives are complicated by his own romantic interest in her.

Mrs. Bantam

Margery and Mrs. Bantam have a mistress-servant relationship, though Mrs. Bantam often feels caught between Margery and Stephen.

Emily Gaunt

Emily and Margery are rivals for Stephen's attention and loyalty, with Emily actively undermining Margery's position.

Muriel Tarrant

Margery and Muriel are rivals, as Muriel's affair with Stephen destroys Margery's trust and marriage.

Stephen Byrne

Margery is Stephen's wife, but their marriage is strained by Stephen's infidelity and her growing suspicion and resentment.

Mrs. Bantam

Margery and Mrs. Bantam have a mistress-servant relationship, though Mrs. Bantam often feels caught between Margery and Stephen.

Emily Gaunt

Emily and Margery are rivals for Stephen's attention and loyalty, with Emily actively undermining Margery's position.

Stephen Byrne

Margery is Stephen's wife, but their marriage is strained by Stephen's infidelity and her growing suspicion and resentment.

John Egerton

John is a close friend and confidant to Margery, but his motives are complicated by his own romantic interest in her.

Muriel Tarrant

Margery and Muriel are rivals, as Muriel's affair with Stephen destroys Margery's trust and marriage.

Mrs. Bantam

Margery and Mrs. Bantam have a mistress-servant relationship, though Mrs. Bantam often feels caught between Margery and Stephen.

I

Stephen's wife, described as very fair and delightful without being exactly beautiful.

II

Stephen's wife, who is dining with her mother and is expected back later.

III

Stephen's pregnant wife, expected home at any moment; her potential discovery of the crime drives Stephen and John's urgency.

IV

Walks home happily, reflecting on her pregnancy, her trust in Stephen, and his literary success.

Chapter VI

Margery is mentioned as a motive for John's actions and as having recently given birth, which occupies Stephen's attention.

VII

Very ill after childbirth; Stephen visits her briefly and she weakly tells him to go out in his boat.

Chapter IX

Recovering from childbirth, she lies in bed dreaming of the future with Stephen, unaware of his guilt; she is touched by his apparent concern.

Chapter X

Recovering from childbirth, eager for company, and unaware of the full truth about Emily Gaunt.

Chapter XI

Mentioned as Stephen's wife; Stephen briefly thinks of her and his vows but then forgets her in the heat of the dance.

XII

Writes a letter to Stephen from Hampshire, describing the peace and beauty of the Solent, and urges him to join her.

XIII

Mentioned in Stephen's thoughts about her description of evening by the Solent.

XIV

Reads Stephen's manuscript secretly, moved by the poem but unaware of its autobiographical basis.

Chapter XV

Margery discovers the truth about Stephen's crime through his manuscript. She passionately pleads with him not to confess, driven by protective love and fear of losing him.

XVI

Worries about Stephen's late return, hears the gas-stove explosion, and is later soothed by his forced cheerfulness at dinner, unaware of his suicide plan.

XVII

Waiting in the garden, she gives John a paper found in the dining-room; later hears Stephen's cry and helps John.

XVIII

Mentioned as someone whose windows would overlook the statue; her potential feelings are dismissed by the committee.